Continuously-revolving press



.June 29 ,1926. 1,590,481

. T. STENHOUSE ET AL GONTINUOUSLY REVOLVING PRESS a@ MJLM June 29 ,'1926. 1,590,481

T. STENHOUSE Er AL comINuousLY REvoLvING 'Pmass Filed May 12. 1924 v @@@V r///f y f/ June 29 1926. 1,590,481

. T.4 sTENHOUsE ET AL coTINUoUsLY'REVLvING PRESS Filed May 12, 1924 s sheets-sheet s Patented .im 29, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.-

THOMAS STENHOUSE AND DAVID STENHOUSE, 0F WASHINGTON, PENNSYLVANIA, AS- SIGNOBS TO HAZEL-ATLAS GLASS CO., 0F WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA, A COR- PORATION 0F WEST VIRGINIA.

CONTINUOUSLY-BEVOLVING PRESS.

Application med nay 12, 1924. serial No. 712,754.

The invention relates to an improved` apparatus for pressing glassware, in which the glass is delivered to the molds and the articles are pressed while the apparatus is in continuous rotary motion, in distinction from the common practice of intermittently operating the apparatus.

The common practice has been to rotate the mold-carrying table step-by-step; the glass being fed to a m'old at one station; the article being pressed at another station; and the finished article being delivered at another station. This intermittent or stepby-step movement of the mold table imposed uite a strain upon the mechanical parts w ich operated the table, to overcome the momentum of the table and the heavy load of molds so as to bring it to a complete stop at the various stations. -An equally great strain was also imposed `on the driv` ing parts in overcoming the inertia of the table in again putting it into motion at the completion of each operation.

vFurther, in the intermittently rotated press the capacity is limited by reason of the intervals of rest; and the speed of operation must be restricted because of thestress in overcoming inertia and momentum. J The urpose of the present invention is to provlde a press in which all the operationsof pressing glassware are carried out during the Continous rotation ofthe apparatus, thus eliminating all the disadvantages of the intermittently operated press. Applicants are aware that continuously revolving presses have been known prior to the present invention; but thev apparatus disclosed herein presents numerous novel features, and one of the objects of the invention is' to provide an apparatuso'f this character whichis not only more simplein construction than an continously revolving presses previously own but also will operate in a more e'lcient manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide an entirely new and` extremely simple apparatus for operating the plunger dubrling the continuous rotation of the mold ta e.

A further object of the invention is to provide a safety device to prevent damage to the plunger mechanism in the event there should be some foreign substance or an overcharge of glass in the mold.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of means whereby the molds may be easily and accurately positioned with respect to the plunger.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings; in which,

Figure 1 is an elevational view ofthe complete apparatus.

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure l and looking in the direction of the arrow. v

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of the apparatus; and

Figure 4 is a Adiagrammatic view of the plunger operating mechanism.

Referring to the drawings more in detail, number 1` indicates the base of the apparatus, which is preferably mounted on rollers 2. A central column 3, for the suppprt of the various parts, is mounted on the se plate and this column is provided with a collar 4 which is preferably integral with the column, and on which is mounted a plate 5 having a ball race 6.

A conventional mold table is indicated by numeral 7, and this table has a depending ange 8 carrying a ball race 9 lcooperating' with-the ball race 6 of the plate 5. The

table maybe of any desired construction, y

.the mold table, consists of a motor 10 driving a gear wheel 11 mounted on a shaft 12. The opposite end of the shaft 12 carries a helical gear 13 meshing with .a similar gear 14 mounted on the lower end of a vertical shaft 15. The upper end of this shaft 15 carries a pinion .16 meshing with the spur wheel 17 secured, to the underside of the mold table 7. Obviously any other suitable mechanism may be employed for continuously rotating the table; and a belt drive may be employed in place of a motor, if preferred.

The molds are indicated by numeral 18, and a number of these are arranged on the table in a circular series in the usual manner; ten of the molds are shown herein, but the number of molds will vary, of course, with the size of the table. Each mold is provided in the base thereof with a valve 1 9 used for ejecting the 'finished articles. These valves carry stems 20 which project through the mold table, and as the table rotates these stems come into contact with an inclined track 21 supported by standards 22 mounted on the base plate 1. As the stem rides up the inclined track the valve rises in the mold carrying the finished article with it and thus facilitating they removal thereof. As the table continues its rotation the stems will ride down the oppositely inclined track, thus permitting the valves to rest in the base of the molds before receiving the next charge of glass preparatory to the pressing operation. The particular means by which the glass charges are fed `to the molds during the continuous rotation' of` the table, forms no part of the present invention, and we have therefore illustrated, in a more or less diagrammatic way, a chute 23.` Obviously, lany feeding means may be employed; and the chute is merelyintended to represent any desired ltype of feeder.

We have described the mounting of the mold table, the preferred mechanism for continuously rotating the same, the `arrangement of the molds on the table, andthe preferred means for ejecting the finished ware; and we shall now describe the construction and arrangement of the plungers and the means for operating the Same.

Mounted on the mold table, adjacent each of the molds 18, is a pairv of guide rods 24; the rods being attached to a plate'25 at their upper ends; and slidably mountedon each pair of these rods is a crosshead 2,6. Each of the crossheads is provided with suitable outwardly projecting lugs, 27, 27, and adjustably mounted in these lugs are the' plunger rods 28, which have the plungers 29 screwed or otherwise attached to the lower end thereof. Each plunger i'od carries the usual spring plate 30having the rods 31 and springs 32. A f

A cam track 33 is liXed to the column 3, and by reference to Figures 2 and 4 it will be seen that the track is provided with a gap 34, and that'the track is inclined upward from each side of the gap as indicated by numeral 35; the track being otherwise horizontal and continuous throughout its extent. Each crosshead 26 carries a roller 36; and the crossheads and plungers carried thereby are operated, to a certain extent, by the rollers 36 cooperating with the cam track 33, in a manner to be described hereinafter.

A pair of guide rods. 37 is mounted on the base plate 1, and these guide rods are attached at their upper ends to a bracket 38 carried by the central column 3. Slidably mounted on the guide rods 37 is a cylinder 39 having a piston rod 40 which is attached to a connecting rod 41 operated by a crank 42.

The cylinder 39 carries two bars; the upper bar 43 being termed the presser bar, and the lower bar 44 being termed the lifting bar. These bars are adapted to cooperate, in a manner to be described hereinafter, with the rollers 45 and 46 carried by the upper lug 27 of each of the crossheads 26. In Figure 2 the upper, or presser bar 43, is shown in dotted lines for the reason that the section is taken intermediate the two bars and hence the upper bar should not appear, and it has been included in broken outline to illustrate the relative shape of the two plates, the upper plate being wider and shorter than the lower plate. As clearly shown in Figure 2, the cylinder 39 and the bars 43 and 44 carried thereby, are aligned withthe gap 34 in the cam track 33.

The connecting rod 41 for reciprocating the cylinder 39 and hence the plungers 29, may be operated by any desired means, though it is preferably operated by the crank 42 mentioned hereinbefore. The crank shaft 42 carries a gear 47 which meshes with a gear 48 mounted on the shaft 12that carries the gear 11 driven by the motor 10, as clearly illustrated in Figure 2; themold table and plungers being thus operated through the same train of gearing. Of course the movement of the crank and mold table must synchronize; and as ten molds are employed in the present instance the crank must make ten revolutions for every revolution ofthe mold table; and it will be understood that the various gears are designed to give this synchronous movement.

The cylinder 39 is provi-ded with a two-; l

as by the mechanism hereinbefore described.

The table continues its rotation and the valveI stems 2O of the mold valves 19 come into` contact with the inclined track 21, whereby the valves are elevated carrying the finished articles therewith top facilitate removal thereof.

The plungers are normally held inan elevated position, spaced some distance 'from the tops of the molds, bymeans of the rollers 36 riding on the horizontal portion of the cam track 33. As the table revolves the rollers travel down the inclined portion of the track, thereby lowering the plungers to a position adjacent the tops of the molds. The further rotation of the table carries the roller 36 of one of the plungers off' the inclined track '33 and at the same time the roller 45 passes onto the bar 44. Upon further travel the roller 46 is brought under the pressing bar 43 and in this position the plunger is over the gap 34 in the cam track 33, so that -it is free to be lowered. The operating gear train is so designed that in this position the cylinder will be moved downward by means of the crank 42, and will carry with it the plunger and crosshead, because of the presser bar 43 engaging the roller 46. The article is pressed into the desired shape during this operation. The crank 42 continues its rotation and the lifting bar 44 engaged under the roller 45 lifts the plunger clear of the mold.` -The con.

tinued rotation of the mold table carries the roller 36 onto the upwardly inclined portion of the cam track 33, thereby lifting the plunger to a position which will permit the removal of the. formed articles from.I the molds in the manner heretofore described.

Fluid pressure is normally maintained in the lower portion of the cylinder 39, and if there is any foreign substance or an over` charge of glass, in the mold, this fluid pres-F sure will function as a cushion thereby preventing any damage to the mnld, plunger or Vfpprating mechanism.

en an overcharge of glass, or glass A from a previous charge, or foreign substance is observed in one of the `molds then it is only necessary to reverse the valve 49, thereby introducingthe Huid pressure into the upper portion of the cylinder and elevating it so that the plunger will not descend sufficiently far to enter the mold.

The cylinder-39 possesses another very material advantage. When it is necessary to change molds or a ply different molds, the setting of the mol s to their plungers must be extremely accurate, and in the presentv construction actual tests may be mlade very easily by moving the crank 42'to the bottom of its stroke and then operating the valve 49 to raise and lower the plunger during the adjustment of each mold to its plunger.

The construction and operation of the apparatus will be clearly understoodfrom' theV foregoing description', and it will be ap' parent that in simplicity of construction and ease of operation it possesses numerous ad.- vantages over theprior art. And while'we have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention which functions reliably and efficiently, it is obvious that many changes and modifications could be made b those skilled in this art, and may be su stituted for this present mechanism without change in mode of operation, or loss 0f advantage; and4 hence it is to' be understood that the present invention covers all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having fully described the invention', what' y we claim as new and desire' to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a glass pressing machine, a continuously revolving table, a plurality of molds carried thereby, a plunger for each mold, a movable member, and means carried by said member for engaging the plungers to successively raise and lower them, said means adapted to operate the plungers while the table and plungers continue to rotate.

2. In a glass pressing machine, a continuously revolving table, a plurality of molds carried thereby, a plunger for each mold, -a vertically reciprocable member and means carried by said member for engaging the plungers successively and lifting them from the molds, and other means for further ele- Y vating the plungers successively, said lifting means adapted to operate the plungers while the table and plungers continue to rotate.

3. In a glass pressing machine, a continuously revolving table, a plurality of'molds carried thereby, ay plunger for each mold, a vertically reciprocable member, and means carried by said member for raising and lowering the plungers successively, said mea-ns adapted to operate the plungers while the table and plungers continue to rotate.

4. In a glass pressing machine, a contlnuously revolving table, a plurality of molds carried thereby, a plunger for each mold, a vertically reciprocable member engaging and operating each plunger successively, means for reciprocating said member, said means adapted to operate the plungers while vthe table and plungers continue to rotate, and

cushioning means between said member and pressure connection with the member.

V6. In a glass pressing machine, a continuously revolving table, a plurality of molds carried thereby, a plunger for each mold, and means `for operating the plungers during the rotation of the table, said means including Va vertically movable cylinder.

' 7. In a glass pressing machine, a continuously revolving table, a plurality of molds carried thereby, a. plunger for each mold, a vertically vmovable cylinder, means carried by said cylinder for successively engaging the plungers, and means for reciprocating the cylinder.

8. In a glass pressing machine, a continuously revolving table, a plurality'of molds y carried thereby, a plunger for each mold, a

cylinder, means carried by the cylinder for engaging and operating vthe plungers successively, a piston mounted in said cylinder, meansfor operating the piston synchronously with the table, and a fluid pressure cushion between the piston and the cylinder.

9. In a glass pressing machine, a continuously revolving table, a plurality of molds carried thereby, a plunger for each mold, a cylinder, means carried by the cylinderv for engaging and operating the plungers successively, a piston mounted in said cylinder, and means for operating the piston synchronously with the table.

10. Iny a glass pressing machine, a continuously revolving table, a plurality of Amolds carried thereby, a plunger for each mold, a cylinder, means carried by the cylinder for engaging and operatingthe plungers successively, a .piston mounted in said cylinder, means for reciprocating the piston, and means for admitting iluid pressure above or below the piston.

11. In a glass pressing machine, a continuously rotating table, a plurality of molds carried thereby, a plunger for each mold, a cylinder operatively connected with each of said plungers successively, means for reciprocating said cylinder, and means for elevating said cylinder above its-normal position, whereby its reciprocation will not cause the plunger to descend suiiiciently to enter the molds.

l 12. In a class pressing machine, a continiously rotating table, a plurality of molds carried thereby, a plunger for each mold, a cylinder operatively connected with each uously rotating table, a plurality of molds carried thereby, a plunger for each mold, a cylinder operatively connected with each of said plungers successively, a piston for normally reciprocating the` cylinder synchronously with the rotation of the table, and means for reciprocating the cylinder on the piston independently of the rotation of the table. 14. In a glass pressingz'machine, a continuously rotating table, a plurality of molds carried by the. table, a plunger for each mold, a cylinder operatively connected with each of said plungers successively, means for reciprocating said cylinder, and fluid pressure means for elevating said cylinder above its normal position, whereby its reciprocation will ynot cause the plungers to enter the mold.

15. In aV glass pressing machine, a continuously rotating table, a plurality of molds carried by the table, a plunger for each mold, a member operatively connected with each of said plungers successively, said member having substantial breadth to retain operative connection with a plunger during a substantial rotation of the table, means for reciprocating said member, and means for varying the limits of stroke of said member.

16. In a glass pressing machine, a continuously rotating table, a plurality of molds carried by the table, a plunger for each mold, a member operatively connected with each of said plungers successively, a crank for norf mally reciprocatin said member, and means for reciprocating the member independently of the crank.

17. In a glass pressing machine, a continuously rotating table, a plurality of molds carried by the table, a plunger for each mold, a cylinder operatively connected with each vot said plungers successively, a piston for normally reciprocating said cylinder, and means for reciprocating the cylinder on the piston while the latter is stationary.

mally reciprocating said cylinder, arid means for moving the cylinder on the piston while the latter is reciprocating.

19. In a 'glass pressing machine, a continuously rotating table, a plurality of molds carried by thetable, a plungergfor each mold, a` member operatively connected with each of said plungers successively, means for reciprocating said member, and other means 18. In a glass pressing machine, a continfor reciprocating said member independently l of the first mentioned means. J

20. In a glass pressing machine, a contin- -uously rotating table, a plurality of molds carried by the table, a plunger for each mold,

ythey reach the gap, and said reciprocable member having substantial breadth to retain its operative connection with a plunger during a substantialrotation of the table.

21. In a glass pressing machine, a continuously rotating table, a plurality of molds carried by the table, a plunger for each mold, a stationary cam having a horizontal portion for maintaining the plungers spaced above the molds and an inclined portion for lowering the plungers successively to the molds, and a reciprocable member for operating said plunger successively when released from the cam track, said reciprocable member having substantial breadth to retain its oper-h ative connection with a plunger during a substantial rotation of the table. 22. In glass pressing machine, acontinuously rotating table, a plurality of molds carried by the table, a plunger for each mold, a stationary cam having a horizontal portion for maintaining the plungers spaced above the molds, and an inclined portion for lowering the plungers successively to the molds, and a reciprocable member for operating said plungers successively when released from the cam track, said member having a presser bar and a lifting bar, and said bars having substantial breadth to retain operative connection with the plunger during a substantial rotation of the-table. A

23. In a glass pressing machine, a continuously rotating table, a plurality of molds carried Aby the table, a vertically slidable cross head for each mold, a plunger. carried by each crosshead, a stationa .cam track,

means carried by the crosshea s for engaging the cam track, a vertically reciprocable member, a lifting bar carried by said member, means carried by the crossheads for engaging said lifting bar, land said lifting bar having substantial breadth to retain operative connection with a cross-head during a substantial rotation of the table.

24. In a glass pressing machine, a continuously rotating table, a plurality of molds carried by the table, a vertically slidable crosshead for each mold, a plunger carried by each crosshead, a stationary cam track, means carried by the crossheads for engaging the cam track, a -vertically reciprocable member, a presser bar carried by said member, and means carried by the crossheads to beengaged by said presser bar, said presser bar having substantial breadth to retain operative connection with a cross-head during a substantial rotation of the table.

25. In a glassfpressing machine, a continuously revolving table, a plurality of molds carried thereby, a plunger for each mold, means for lowerin the plungers successively to a position adjacent the mold, and vertically reciprocable means for ylowering the plungers successively into molding position in the molds, said vertically reciprocable means having substantial breadth to retain operative connection with a plunger during a substantial rotation of the table.

26. In a glass machine, a continuously revolving table. a plurality of molds carried thereby, a plunge-r for each mold, a cam track for lowering the plungers successively into a position adjacent the mold, and vertically reciprocable means for lowering the plungers successively into molding position in the molds, said vertically reciprocable means having substantial breadth to retain operative connection with a plunger during a substantial rotation of the table.v i

27. In a glass pressing machine, a continuously revolving table, a lurality of moldsy carried thereby, a plunger or each mold, movable means for raising the plunger successively from the molds, said movable means having asubstantial breadth to retain operative connection with a plunger during a substantial rotation of the table, and other means for raising the plungers'successively to a position above the molds.

28. In a lass pressing machine, a continuously revolving table, a plurality of molds carried thereby, a plunger for each mold, movable means for raisin the plungers sucsessively from the mol s, said movable means having a substantial breadth to retain operative connection with a plunger during 'a substantial rotation of the table, and a cam track for raising the plungers successively to a position above the molds.

29. In a glass pressing machine, a mold, a plunger, .a cylinder and piston rod, said cylinder adapted to be opera-tively connected with the plunger to reciprocate the Vlatter, and means to reciprocate the piston rod.

30. In a glass pressing machine, a mold, a plunger, a cylinder and piston rod, said cylinder adapted to be operatively connected with the plunger, and means for reciprocating the cylinder.

31. In a glass pressing machine, a mold, a plunger, a'cylinder and piston rod, said cylinder adapted to be operatively connected with the plunger, means for reciprocating the piston rod, and meansfor reciprocating the cylinder on the piston rod. 

